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SLO police identify suspect in hit-and-run that killed elderly man

August 9, 2024

By JOSH FRIEDMAN

The San Luis Obispo Police Department announced on Thursday that detectives have identified the driver who allegedly struck an 87-year-old bicyclist in a hit-and-run last month that resulted in the death of Saul Goldberg, of Avila Beach.

Shortly before noon on July 23, the 87-year-old Goldberg and a 73-year-old bicyclist were riding southbound on S. Higuera Street near the cemetery when a white sedan hit and injured them. The driver did not stop.

A San Luis Obispo Ambulance crew happened to be in the area and stopped to assist.

The 73-year-old rider sustained minor to moderate injuries. Goldberg died of his injuries a week after the collision.

A white four-door sedan was seen fleeing the scene shortly after the crash, and investigators had been seeking the driver for questioning.

Over the last week, detectives followed up on several leads and identified the suspect. Detectives located the vehicle and seized it after obtaining a warrant, according to police.

The police department is currently withholding the name of the suspect and additional details about the case.

 


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Rest in peace, Dr. Goldberg! He was well regarded Cal Poly EE professor and served as department chair from 1992-1995. From the Cal Poly EE department historical archives:


“Dr. Saul Goldberg’s Term as Department Chair

Dr. Goldberg served as EE Department Chair from 1992-1995. One of the key accomplishments of his term was the creation of the Department’s Industrial Advisory Council (IAC) – which has since been called the Industrial Advisory Board. This council met once or twice a year and was staffed with interested industry representatives (often alumni). Their role, as a key “constituent” of the Department, was to give us feedback on our programs from an industrial perspective and to key us in to potential funding and employment opportunities from industry.

Another significant accomplishment of the Goldberg administration was the formal elimination of the parallel electrical (EE) and electronic (EL) engineering programs at Cal Poly. This historical vestige of separating power and control systems from the rest of electrical engineering had outlived its usefulness. It was a source of constant confusion for the “rest of the world” and led to duplicative efforts in such things as accreditation. Concurrent with the dropping of the EL degree, the Department assumed a single name “Electrical Engineering”, as opposed to “Electrical and Electronic Engineering”.”


1

In my mid 30’s with an athletic background and experience with most “extreme” sports.. I would NEVER ride my bicycle on roads with speed limits over 25mph. At 87? ..even a simple fall would be a risk of death and significant injury. Don’t think I’ll ever understand why people seem to think it’s worth their lives :/


-2

He didn’t fall. Neither did the other victim. What’s your point? No bicycles? Dr. Goldberg was a brilliant colleague of my father who also rode into his 80’s, thankfully not falling victim to the hit-and-run driver you are supporting. The driver was probably impaired and will dodge this by fleeing. But blaming Dr. Goldberg for a routine ride from Avila to SLO?


1

It’s a-holes like you that make me concerned about riding my bike. And what about kids? Are they expected to to more nimbly avoid drivers with your attitude?


-1

An “extreme” sports veteran that won’t ride their bike on a road with speed limits over 25 mph?


1

Excellent point Ricky2 (below). The term “suspect” should only be used when there is an identified individual. However, if that individual is not charged yet, then they don’t need to release a name. In the case of unidentified criminals, such as those seen on ring cameras or convenience store monitoring, we know that person committed the crime. Therefor, they are not “suspects”. They did it.


-9

How wrong you are, suspect is law enforcement jargon for someone who is being investigated for a crime but is yet to be found guilty by a court of law even though they may admit to the crime they remain a suspect. Only a court can find a suspect guilty, not you, a witness, the police or a camera. Due process of the law is guaranteed under the Constitution for all US citizens. Let us not forget that.


33

Let’s try this again, matthwy58. Read what I said. First, the term “suspect” is indeed law enforcement jargon. However….. if properly applied in a literal sense, a “suspect” can only be someone “named” in relation to a crime, prior to any conviction or acquittal. But…. if we are talking about a crime being committed and we don’t know the name of the individual…. then we don’t have a “suspect”… we only have someone out there somewhere who did it. Including unidentified individuals observed committing a crime. Once he/she/they are identified, then, and only then, do they/it/whatever officially become a “suspect”. Make sense? ;)


-7

Yes, I understand your point.

Let’s bring a new word into this for clarification, perpetrator. The police are looking for the perpetrator of the crime and when they investigate someone, they have a suspect. If the DA determines sufficient evidence exists to file charges the suspect-arrestee becomes a defendant.

Now back to Joshes article, the only imperfection is he should have said, Detectives have identified a suspect, not “the suspect”. This may be the result of the way it was reported to CCN and reflects poor grammar which is rampant these days.

Shows how one letter can change the meaning of a story.


4

If this is a legitimate “suspect” and there’s sufficient info to file a charge, why is his/her name being withheld? Something smells off here.


16

Yeah, is there some rule against publishing the suspect’s identity?


11

It will be published. GEEZ. Let the family learn of the situation before the blood lusters wet their pants.


4

What family? The Goldberg family knows he’s dead. No reason not to ID the suspect, or is there?


-1

Generally, suspects are not named until an arrest or charges are filed then it becomes public record.


16

The process of investigation and the gathering evidence for an airtight conviction takes time. Revealing what evidence they might have could compromise their case.


21